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Summer work experience programs

Evidence Rating

Some Evidence

Health Factors

Decision Makers

Summer work experience programs provide short-term employment for youth, usually 14-24 year olds. Offered through both public and private sector organizations, placements are often in low-skill positions. Programs usually focus on creating opportunities for youth in low income families and may include job search support or academic components.

Impact on Disparities

Likely to decrease disparities

Implementation Examples

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act requires that local communities that receive youth formula funds spend at least 20% of those funds on work experience activities such as summer jobs, pre-apprenticeship, on-the-job training, and internships (US DOL-WOIA). The Summer Youth Employment Program in New York City, Seattle, and Washington DC (Gelber A, Isen A, Kessler JB. The effects of youth employment: Evidence from New York City lotteries. The Quarterly Journal of Economics. 2016;131(1):423-460.Link to original source (journal subscription may be required for access)Gelber 2016), and Los Angeles’ Hire L.A. Youth (Hire LA Youth) are examples of summer work experience programs.

Sum 2008 - Sum A, McLaughlin J. Out with the young and in with the old: US labor markets 2000-2008 and the case for an immediate jobs creation program for teens and young adults. Boston: Center for Labor Market Studies Publications, Northeastern University; 2008.

Gelber 2016* - Gelber A, Isen A, Kessler JB. The effects of youth employment: Evidence from New York City lotteries. The Quarterly Journal of Economics. 2016;131(1):423-460.

MDRC-Valentine 2017 - Valentine EJ, Anderson C, Hossain F, Unterman R. An introduction to the world of work: A study of the implementation and impacts of New York City's summer youth employment program. New York: Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC); 2017.

Citations - Implementation Examples

* Journal subscription may be required for access.

Gelber 2016* - Gelber A, Isen A, Kessler JB. The effects of youth employment: Evidence from New York City lotteries. The Quarterly Journal of Economics. 2016;131(1):423-460.

Date Last Updated

Scientifically Supported: Strategies with this rating are most likely to make a difference. These strategies have been tested in many robust studies with consistently positive results.

Some Evidence: Strategies with this rating are likely to work, but further research is needed to confirm effects. These strategies have been tested more than once and results trend positive overall.

Expert Opinion: Strategies with this rating are recommended by credible, impartial experts but have limited research documenting effects; further research, often with stronger designs, is needed to confirm effects.

Insufficient Evidence: Strategies with this rating have limited research documenting effects. These strategies need further research, often with stronger designs, to confirm effects.

Mixed Evidence: Strategies with this rating have been tested more than once and results are inconsistent or trend negative; further research is needed to confirm effects.

Evidence of Ineffectiveness: Strategies with this rating are not good investments. These strategies have been tested in many robust studies with consistently negative and sometimes harmful results.